Every child deserves a loving, nurturing and permanent home. Sadly, [number] abused and neglected children in the care of [state or province's child welfare agency] are waiting for such a home. These children are not the newborns most people picture when they think of adoption. Generally they are older boys and girls and teenagers who may have unique medical, psychological or physical needs. Adoption gives them a brighter future, brings great joy to the adoptive parents and places fewer demands on social services.

WHEREAS, adoption is the permanency plan for approximately [number] children in [state/province];

WHEREAS, nearly all of these children have special needs because of physical, mental or emotional disabilities, because they must be placed as a sibling group, because they are minorities, or because they are schoolaged;

WHEREAS, these children need extra patience and support to help them overcome previous hardships;

WHEREAS, in [year], [number] children who have special needs were placed in adoptive families in [state/province];

WHEREAS, there are families able and willing to adopt children who have special needs;

WHEREAS, it is important to stress that a disability, low income, or unmarried status does not preclude the right to adopt; and

WHEREAS, children waiting for adoptive parents, and families who have adopted these children, require and deserve community and public agency support;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, [mayor/governor/premier] of the [city/county/state/province] of [name of city/county/state/province], do hereby proclaim the [day/week/month] of

NOVEMBER [day/week/year] AS
ADOPTION AWARENESS [DAY/WEEK/MONTH]
in [name of city/county/state/province]

In honor of this event, I encourage citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, businesses, and others to celebrate adoption, honor families that grow through adoption, further an awareness of the changes and issues in adoption, and focus attention on those children who live in the shadow of an uncertain future while they await permanent families.

Signed: _______________________________

Date: _______________________________

Adapted from materials created by the North American Council on Adoptable Children; used with permission.

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